https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/2...-but-not-fully-guaranteed-contract-extension/ Per Windhorst Zion will be a restricted free agent next offseason, and the Rockets could have upwards of 70+ million in cap space to spend, without, in my opinion, alot of quality players available. A Guaranteed max contract offer for Zion could ward off New Orleans from matching. Zion Williamson, while obviously a phenomenal talent, struggles with injuries and his weight. There is tremendous upside, but there is risk here.
What happens during next season would go a long way towards making this easier to call either way. Say it’s a mid scenario where he’s kind of in shape but not completely transformed and plays maybe 60 games missing sometime with smaller injuries and plays fine in a first round loss. I for sure would do it. Zion is top 5 player in the league good if available and in okay shape. You have to take that risk. If he plays 10 games next year then no way. If he plays 80 games then you would do it and there should be no debate.
I can’t answer this question in a vacuum, aside from saying yes, there are circumstances in which I would be comfortable gambling on Zion.
If Zion has a relatively healthy season, New Orleans would quickly match a four year rookie max. You’re only prying Zion away disgruntled, by trade, and with New Orleans reaping real value. #3 and Sengun, for an example.
if his fat arse could get into shape, otherwise, I feel his body will continue to break down and his lack of height will show it self when his jumping ability turns to that similar to Blake Griffin
Would give up any assets for him? Nope. Would I take the risk and sign him outright for free? Sure why not. The rockets are years and years from being in any sort of contention otherwise, so there's not much to say this wouldn't be an interesting chance to take. Folks holding the notion that this is some FA destination like they can pick and choose who, are still kidding themselves The rockets will be signing the different versions of Wood/Theis of the league to bloated deals just based on them being the now suckers willing and having to just sign someone out of desperation because they can't get anyone else. I'll take the better shot at someone like Zion for a measly 4 years for a 21 year old with that type of ceiling. He isn't stopping the rockets from doing anything in this case nobody should be operating under the assumption of winning anytime soon whatsoever.
Problem is if he was in shape and healthy the Pelicans would sign him. Your only opportunity would be if he looks terrible or demands a trade.
for New Orleans to get to the point that they would just let some other team sign him next offseason after his rookie deal, that means that his weight and injury issues have continued and they have deemed him a lost cause that means he’s still built like Majin Buu and eating left and rightovers Why would that change in Houston after he’s been rewarded with a max deal?
Rockets would do this in a heartbeat. No chance it happens though, there’s precedent here with Embiid’s deal. No real drama here at all.
No, no.. too much downside risk at a time when we're dealing from a position of strength. Time is on our side. No desperate moves.
The only thing Zion has been working on each season, is his gravitational mass. I would hate to see him in Rockets red.
